THE DORSET HORN 



413 



The Dorset Horn as a wool producer is open to material 

 improvement. Mature rams will shear about 9 pounds and 

 ewes about 6 pounds of unwashed wool. Twenty imported 

 sheep of J. B. Henderson of Pennsylvania are credited with 

 shearing an average of 10 pounds each. The fleece of the 

 Dorset has improved in weight and quality. Wrightson states 

 that fifty years ago it was computed as averaging 3! pounds, 

 whereas now (1895) a breeding flock of ewes will clip from 5 to 

 6 pounds of wool, and yearling ewes from 6 to 7 pounds, while 

 rams will clip 8 to 12 pounds each, all these weights following 

 brook washings. Dorset sheep have too short a fleece and show 

 too little wool on the under side of the body. The quality of 

 the staple is of medium grade, being neither fine nor coarse. 



Fig. 192. A view in Dorsetshire, showing part of the Flower flock of Dorsets 

 soon after shearing. From a photograph by H. B. Arbuckle, from the 

 National Stockman and Farmer 



The popularity of the Dorset outside of its native home is rather 

 restricted. It is shown at fairs or shows in but a very limited way, 

 either in England or the United States, and the public is not 

 generally familiar with the breed. In spite of this fact it is a mut- 

 ton sheep of much merit, entitled to greater recognition, and for 

 early lambs is of much value. With an improved capacity to 

 produce wool, it no doubt will meet with more favor. 



Dorset horns as a protection from dogs. Early advocates of the 

 breed argued that the Dorset by means of its horns would pro- 

 tect itself better from dogs than would hornless sheep, but this 

 claim has been very generally discarded in recent years, as 

 not being worthy of special distinction. 



The distribution of the Dorset Horn is not as widespread 

 as most other British breeds. In England it is found most 



